'Runners bask in glow of orange, top Bobcats

UTSA quarterback Eric Soza (right) proposes to his girlfriend Audrey Jones after the game against Texas State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. Jones accepted according to family friends. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

A UTSA student celebrates on the field after the game against Texas State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA fans celebrate on the field after the game against Texas State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Travis Menn gets a pat on the helmet by a fan after their game against Texas State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA fans take the field after the Roadrunners defeated Texas State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Rico Valdez celebrates on the Roadrunner logo after UTSA's victory over Texas State at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

The UTSA Roadrunners gather at midfield before their game against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Kenny Bias celebrates a touchdown with teammate Jeremiah Moeller (85) against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Cole Hubble (83) celebrates a touchdown with teammates Jeremiah Moeller (85) and Cole Hicks (80) against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA quarterback Eric Soza strolls in for a touchdown against Texas State in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Kenny Harrison reacts after running in a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Kenny Bias (81) attempts a catch against Texas State's Craig Mager (25) in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Bias dropped the pass as he fell to the ground. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Kenny Bias (81) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Cody Harris (68) against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Texas State's Shaun Rutherford (17) attempts a pass in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Evans Okotcha sprints away from Texas State's Justin Iwuji (08) in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Eric Soza (08) makes a throw against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Eric Soza scrambles for yardage against Texas State in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Evans Okotcha (36) attempts to dive in for a touchdown against Texas State's Craig Mager (25) and Justin Iwuji (08) in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Okotcha had stepped out of bounds before the attempt. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Cole Hicks (80) misses a catch against Texas State's Darryl Morris (02) in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Nic Johnson (22) puts a big tackle on Texas State quarterback Shaun Rutherford (17)in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Texas State quarterback Shaun Rutherford (17) celebrates a touchdown against UTSA in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA defenders pile on Texas State's Marcus Curry (28) in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Darrien Starling (24) makes a tackle against Texas State's Andy Erickson (13) in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Evans Okotcha (36) stiff arms Texas State's Jamie Clavell-Head (05) in the first half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA head coach Larry Coker on the sidelines during the game against Texas State in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA and Texas State gather for the coin toss as local businessman Ernesto Ancira throwing the coin in the air before their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's David Glasco, II (11) collides into a game official during the game against Texas State in the second half at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA's Steven Kurfehs (44) makes a tackle on Texas State quarterback Shaun Rutherford (17) in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Texas State's Chase Harper (19) goes airborne against UTSA in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

UTSA head coach Larry Coker directs his team from the sidelines against Texas State in the second half of their game at the Alamodome on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. The Roadrunners defeated the Bobcats 38-31. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

After being projected as one of the worst teams in the nation in the Football Bowl Subdivision, UTSA ended the season on a three-game winning streak and finished with an 8-4 record.

The Roadrunners, pegged for the cellar in the seven-team Western Athletic Conference, clinched fourth place at 3-3.

“I said before the season that we were going to compete and have a chance to win every football game,” UTSA coach Larry Coker said. “Probably that was a pipe dream. Probably we weren't that good. To finish up with three wins and to be 8-4, I'm just very, very proud.”

Kenny Harrison's electrifying 79-yard, first-quarter punt return for a touchdown fired up a season-high crowd of 39,032 and set the tone for the afternoon.

Not only did it lift UTSA into a 10-0 lead, it sent a message to a Texas State team that had defeated Houston on the road on the opening day of the season.

“He saw the open field, and he took it,” said UTSA centerNate Leonard, who was watching from the sideline. “I was so excited because I knew he only had one guy to beat.

“He juked that guy, and then I just started going crazy. I had to get some Gatorade after that one, and I wasn't even in the game.”

Paced by quarterback Shaun Rutherford's 324 yards and two touchdowns passing, Texas State (3-8, 1-4) challenged UTSA on more than a few occasions but could never sustain enough momentum to take the lead. The UTSA defense stopped Texas State on its own 34-yard line as the final gun sounded.

“I thought they played a heck of a game,” Bobcats coach Dennis Franchione said. “They ran the ball well and threw the ball well. They played well on offense. That punt return hurt. Offensively, we just couldn't quite keep up with them.”

The UTSA offensive line controlled the action with a dominating performance.

Paving the way for a school-record 299 yards rushing and 499 of total offense, UTSA was in position to put up more than 50 points.

Only a couple of mistakes in the red zone prevented a much bigger number on the final scoreboard against the Bobcats, who totaled 392 yards.

Soza, UTSA's inspirational leader, had problems in the third quarter when his NCAA-leading string of attempts without an interception ended at 252. The Bobcats picked him off on consecutive possessions.

Not to be denied in a game against his former team, Soza finished with 200 yards and three touchdowns passing. He also led the team with 97 yards rushing and another score. Evans Okotcha added 93 yards, and David Glasco II had 68.

“The atmosphere was great,” Leonard said. “I thought Texas State would be a little more excited to play. Maybe you got to give a little credit to us for popping 'em in the mouth and making them a little dizzy. They didn't really catch their bearings until the third quarter.”